Even if you don’t strike your head extremely hard, you could still suffer a concussion. If this happens, you could experience a variety of side effects, ranging from unconsciousness to dizziness and vomiting.
The most important thing you can do is obtain immediate medical treatment, as this gets you in touch with a doctor who can run the appropriate diagnostic tests. From there, if it’s confirmed that you have a concussion, your doctor can work with you to implement a treatment schedule that suits your life.
No two patients are the same, but concussion treatment typically includes all the following:
- Rest: If you don’t rest your brain after a concussion, you don’t give it the appropriate amount of time to recover. It’s critical to take time off, both mentally and physically, with regular check-ins so your doctor can adjust your schedule according to your progress.
- Avoiding overexertion: This goes along with getting enough rest, but takes into consideration the fact that you don’t want to partake in activities that could exacerbate your symptoms.
- No physical activity: Anything that could result in a blow to head is something you need to avoid during the recovery period. So, no playing football with friends, climbing ladders around home or doing DIY projects.
- Cut back on activities that require mental concentration: From watching television to playing video games to working on a computer, activities that require too much mental concentration should be kept to a minimum. For example, your doctor may suggest that you reduce the amount of time you spend at work or school while recovering.
As your symptoms disappear, your doctor will help you slowly work toward once again living your normal day-to-day life. Along the way, continue to track your symptoms and progress, as you’ll want to share any concerns with your medical team. In the event that your symptoms return, you may require treatment for post-concussion syndrome.
Making a full recovery is top priority, but you should also focus your attention on the cause of your accident and the impact it has had on your life. This may lead you to make a personal injury claim against the negligent party.